LA Rams need to line up Donald and Clowney on same defense

As LA Rams fans surely took note this week – the arms race for the  NFC West defensive unit escalated a notch with news of the Arizona Cardinals signing of former Houston Texans’ defensive end J.J.Watt.

The off-season chess game ensues. How does this change (or even affect) the LA Rams’ plans for the upcoming season? Behind the scenes, what counter-maneuvers are now being discussed at the front office? Some food for thought: the LA Rams are in the market for an edge rusher. Not just any ole edge guy, but someone who can raise his game to the ranks of the elite in the NFL.

Well, a minuscule morsel of news dropped on Tuesday about another defensive end/outside linebacker – Tennessee Titans DE Jadaveon Clowney.  The news is that he’s undergone surgery to repair his torn left knee meniscus and should be fully cleared to return from his rehab in April, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Now, there’s an apex predator, who typically comes at an apex price.

Well, maybe.  After all, the market for Clowney was not exactly red hot in 2020 as he sat for several weeks for the phone to ring. When it did, he was $13 million richer thanks to the Tenessee Titans. But they overpaid by a bundle, and they know it.